Role of the rice root nematode (Hirschmanniella oryzae) in the incidence of sheath blight disease of rice in Kerala

Abstract

Rhizoctonia solani causing sheath blight of rice was found to infect a number of common weeds and crops raised in rice fallows in Kerala. The fungus was found to produce leaf and stem blight in groundnut plants. This is the first report of this fungus causing serial blight symptoms in adult groundnut palnts. On Sesbania aculeata (daincha), the fungus produce severe collar rot, this being the first record of this fungus on this crop in India. The occurrence of R.solani under natural conditions on the weeds, Anluda aristata and Monochoria vaginalis are reported for the first time.